Stormwater Projects

The following projects have stormwater components but may also serve transportation and other needs. These projects may be in different stages of development such as planning, design, right-of-way, and construction, and are subject to budget appropriations. The scheduled completion dates are tentative. These projects are to address the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) requirements as part of the City's MS4 Permit.

Unless otherwise noted, questions can be directed to Public Works staff at 540-434-5928 or stormwater@HarrisonburgVA.gov 

Completed Projects Highlights

Blacks Run South Stream Restoration

Blacks Run at the project site is actively eroding due to watershed land use/cover changes, an urbanized watershed, past channel modifications and infrastructure conflicts, and a lack of riparian and streambank vegetation. Blacks Run drains the majority of the City and there is limited opportunity for restoration upstream of the
project reach. Much of Blacks Run is piped or constrained by infrastructure upstream of the project site.

This project was funded largely part in 2021 by the Department of Environmental Quality Stormwater Local Assistance Fund (SLAF) grant. Construction began in 2022 and was completed in 2025. 

Stormwater Improvement Plan

Harrisonburg's Stormwater Improvement Plan (SWIP) is intended to be a long-range visionary plan that incorporates the City's stormwater needs to achieve regulatory compliance. Originally developed in 2017 to identify projects that could help the City meet water quality targets for 2023, the 2024 update aims to chart a course toward achieving goals for 2028 while developing localized actions plans.  The update also includes input from our community on improving the City's stormwater programs to look at stormwater concerns beyond just water quality.

 

While the plan was last updated in 2024, the implementation of the SWIP will continue through 2028.

For more information about the SWIP, visit our Stormwater Improvement Plan webpage. 

 

 

Purcell Park Woodchip Bioreactor

This project used woodchips from local ash trees damaged by the Emerald Ash Borer to filter water entering Purcell Park Pond from Siebert's Creek. Woodchip bioreactors are large pits in the ground that are filled with woodchips. Water is diverted through the system, and the woodchips act as a media for bacteria to grow. The bacteria convert nitrate-nitrogen in the water to harmless nitrogen gas. The filtered water from the Bioreactor is then piped into Blacks Run.

Nitrogen is a source of pollution in surface waters of Virginia and the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.  Excessive nitrogen causes large algae blooms in river and streams. When algae blooms die, they decompose, which decreases oxygen levels in rivers and can cause fish kills. The City of Harrisonburg is required to reduce nitrogen levels as a part of the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit.

The project was completed in partnership with the nonprofit Ridge to Reefs with funding provided by a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant. 

Make sure to check out our sign in Purcell Park to learn more about the Bioreactor! 

This project was the recipient of the 2021 Governor's Environmental Excellence Award!

 

 

 

 

 

Mountain View Drive Stream Restoration

The stream restoration project is located between Eastover Drive, along Mountain View Drive until it meets Siebert's creek and flows into JMU property. This project includes the restoration of approximately 1,650 linear feet of stream along Mountain View Drive. A Preliminary Engineering Report was initiated by City Council and was completed in October 2017. The project was completed in March of 2023. Public Works began assessing Harrisonburg stream sites that were in need of restoration efforts in 2013, with the Mountain View restoration project being highly prioritized due to eroding stream banks and a wealth of exposed sewer, water and electric utility lines.

The City contracted Ecosystem Services to design the stream restoration project and RES to install the project. 

Approximately 1,462 native trees and shrubs were planted, including water loving species such as button bush, elderberry, red maple, river birch and sycamore. Native grasses and flowers were also installed, providing a wildlife corridor for pollinator species.

This project was funded through Virginia Department of Environmental Quality Stormwater Local Assistance Fund Grant and also by the City’s Stormwater Utility Fee Fund. This project was constructed to help meet the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) reduction requirements for the City of Harrisonburg. You can learn more about TMDL reduction requirements on the MS4 Permit Program webpage. 

 

Northend Greenway Stream Restoration

This project started in the fall of 2019 and completed in winter of 2020, the Northend Greenway stream restoration project repaired 2,778 linear feet of streambank along Blacks Run and an unnamed tributary. Additionally, the project planted over 1,400 native trees within the 6.5-acre riparian buffer. 

The primary goal and objective of this project was to establish a stream corridor that does not significantly erode or aggrade and reduces nutrient and sediment export while protecting and establishing native vegetation to the maximum extent practicable. Additional goals included ecological improvement using native and locally sourced materials, protection of infrastructure, no increase in localized or downstream flooding, and to provide an educational example of ecological restoration to local residents.